A kitten's first vet visit should be scheduled within the first week at home, or sooner if the kitten seems unwell. Follow-up timing is individualized. For one common core vaccine combination, current US guidelines describe a kitten series every 3–4 weeks through 16–20 weeks of age. Your veterinarian sets the actual schedule from the kitten's age, records, health, lifestyle, exposure risk and local requirements.
What happens at the first visit
- Full physical exam — eyes, ears, mouth, heart, lungs, belly, skin, and a weight check that starts your kitten's growth record
- Vaccine planning — your vet sets the schedule for your kitten's situation
- Parasite screening and prevention — often including a stool check
- Feeding, litter box and behavior questions — this is the moment to ask everything
- Microchip discussion if your kitten isn't chipped yet
What to bring — printable checklist
- [ ] Adoption or breeder/shelter records (vaccines, deworming, previous vet notes)
- [ ] Fresh stool sample, if your clinic requested one
- [ ] The food your kitten currently eats (name, amount, schedule)
- [ ] A list of anything you've noticed — sneezing, diarrhea, appetite changes
- [ ] Your questions, written down
- [ ] A secure carrier with a familiar-smelling blanket
Print this checklist and tick items off as you pack.
Questions worth asking
- Is my kitten's weight and growth on track?
- Which vaccines does my kitten need, and when?
- What parasite prevention do you recommend?
- When should spay/neuter happen?
- What should I feed, and how much?
After the visit
Keep every record in one place and note the next appointment before you leave. If anything changes between visits — appetite, energy, litter box — write it down with dates. The PetsLately Vet Visit Summary turns those notes into a one-page brief for the next visit.
When to contact your vet before the scheduled visit
- Not eating, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Lethargy or hiding more than usual
- Sneezing with eye or nose discharge
- Any accident, fall, or injury
This guide helps you prepare. Your vet sets the actual exam, vaccine and prevention plan for your kitten.